Public Statements

Risch, Crapo Push for Shelving All Obamacare Provisions

Statement

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are joining other Senate colleagues in asking for a full delay of all components of the Affordable Health Care Act, known as Obamacare. The Senators say Congress was not consulted on the decision to delay the employer mandate provisions in the legislation announced last week. As such, they say the entire law should be shelved in order to avoid the economic harm it will cause to American families. The letter is being led by the Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (R-South Dakota).

"The administration is beginning to acknowledge how problematic the health care law is going to be, but I have serious concerns that the administration has overstepped its authority to waive portions of the law without the consent of Congress," Crapo said. "While a delay of the employer mandate is good news for business owners, individuals still need a reprieve from this train wreck. As more and more is discovered, the more unpopular Obamacare becomes. The administration should realize this, offer a permanent delay and work with Congress to enact reforms that will lower costs and increase access to health care."

"The Obama administration's decision last week to delay key portions of Obamacare is both concerning and revealing," said Risch. "By delaying the employer mandate until 2015, the administration has admitted what we already know: Obamacare doesn't work. Rather than partially delaying the law for some, I would prefer to see Obamacare permanently delayed for all before it inflicts even greater pain on Idahoans and the rest of the nation."